George a



(No Model.)

G. A. BEACH.

FLEXIBLE DRIP 0UP FOR UMBRELLAS.

No. 406,020. Patented July 2, 1889.

nugmpher, Wnihrnglon. D c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. BEACH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FLEXIBLE DRIP-CUP FOR UMBRELLAS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 406,020, dated July 2,1889.

Application filed August 27, 1888. flerial No. 283,825x (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. BEACH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Ghicage, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a new and useful Improved Flexible Drip-Cup for Umbrellas, ofwhich the following is a specification.

Hy invention relates to portable drip attachments for umbrellas.

The object of my invention is to provide a removable drip-cup of asimple, cheap, efficient, and durable construction, which may be easilyand quickly aflixed to any ordinary umbrella-tip and form a water-tightjoint therewith, so as to catch and hold all water dripping from theumbrella, and which at the same time shall be light and flexible andcapable of being folded into small compass for convenience of carryingin the pocket when not in use upon the umbrella.

To this end my invention consists in a cone or funnel shaped shell offlexible material having a tapering flexible elastic thimble portion atits apex adapted to fit over and form a tight joint with the tip or topportion of the umbrella-stick. This eone-shaped drip-cup is preferablymade of rubber.

The invention further consists in providing my rubber umbrella-drip withlongitudinal stiffening-ribs and also with a strengthening rib or beadat its upper rim to strengthen the flexible drip-cup and enable it tosustain the weight of the water caught therein.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification,and in which similar letters of reference indicate like parts, Figure 1is a side elevation of a device embodying my invention, showing the sameapplied to an ordinary umbrella and in position for use. Fig. 2 is asimilar view, on asmaller scale, showing the umbrella extended while theflexible drip-cup is attached. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line 3 3 ofFig. 1. Fig. lis a vertical section on line l l of Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 isa partial cross-section on line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

In said drawings, A represents an umbrella, B its stick or handle, and bthe tip or top portion thereof, which extends above the umbrella-fralne.

D is my flexible cone or funnel shaped drip, having a hollow taperingthimble d at its mouth or apex, adapted to lit over and form a tightjoint with the tip or topl) of the umbrella-stick. The thimble (Z ismade slightl tapering or cone-shaped and of elastic flexi ble material,preferably rubber, so that the same will lit upon and form a water-tightjoint with umbrella-tips b of dill'erent sizes or diameters. The entireflexible drip l), I also preferably make of rubber, the same being castor formed in a mold. The flexible drip D is provided with longitudinalstiffening, ribs (1, extending from the rim to the lower end of thethimble portion (I. The strengthening-ribs d are prefe-ably madetapering, about as showmand of a triangular m-ossseetion, as indicatedin Fig. The flexible drip l) is also provided with a transverse head orstrengthening-rib (l at its top or rim. This may preferably be of anapproximately eireular cross-section, as indicated in Fig. l. Thestrengthening-ribs (Z' and serve to give the flexible cup the requisitestillness lo sustain the water contained therein.

The elastic flexible drip l) is applied to the umbrella-tip h byslipping the same thereon, which may be done very quickly and easily,the elastic flexible tip and thimble (I enabling the same to conform to,accurately lit, and form a tight joint with any ordinary umbrella-tip,whatevermay be its diameter. The drip may be as readily removed when itis not desired for use and folded into a compact compass for convenienceof carrying in the pocket or otherwise. \Vhen applied to theumlu'clla-tip, however, it does not interfere with the raising orextending of the umbrella, nor does it injure the neat appearance of theumbrella. On the contrary, as indicated in Fig. 2, the conical drip 1)forms a rather ornamental finish to the umbrella and also a protectionto the upper joint.

\Vhen the wet umbrella is folded, the drip 1) serves to catch all. waterdripping From the umbrella, not only when the umbrella is set down, butwhile it is being carriml through the room. To empty the water from thedrip I), all that is necessary is to simply incline the umbrella over asuitable receptacle, or the flexible drip may be turned back uponitself.

The flexible drip I) is capable olf being applied to and removed fromany orllinary um lOO brella without requiring any change in ormutilation of the umbrella or its tip.

I claim 1. The flexible funnel-shaped drip D, hav- 5 ing longitudinalstrengthening-ribs (1', substantially as specified.

2. The flexible rubber funnel-shaped drip D, having longitudinalstrengthening-ribs cl and transverse strengthening rib or bead d I atits upper rim, subs*antially as specified.

3. The flexible funnel-shaped rubber umbrella-drip D,having taperingelastic thimble d, adapted to fit over the tip of the umbrella, saidfunnel D being provided with 1011 gitudinal strengthening-ribs,substantially as specified.

GEORGE A. BEACH. \Vitnesses:

H. M. MUNDAY, JOHN W. MUNDAY.

